Recreation

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Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Published: 01 September 2019

Question: I caught a striper in Pacifica, with a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) tag from Stockton on it. Who do I call? (Jamie J.)

Answer: Every year, CDFW fisheries biologists use disc tags to mark white sturgeon and striped bass in the Delta. The fish are caught with nets, measured and then marked before release. When anglers later catch them and report the data from the tags, CDFW receives valuable information about seasonal and geographic catch and harvest, along with some measure of fishing effort.

Some tags are reward tags (although this one unfortunately is not), ranging from $20 up to $100. We ran the number on the back of your tag and found that your fish was a male that measured 22 inches total length (55 centimeters fork length) when it was caught and tagged by our staff near Knights Landing on May 29 of this year. Striper travel far, fast and wide, so it's not surprising he made it to Pacifica!

Anglers can report tag information by downloading the online reporting form and mailing it, and the tag, to CDFW, Attn: Sportfish Unit, 2109 Arch-Airport Road, Ste. 100, Stockton, CA 95206. Regardless of whether it's a reward tag, you'll receive a certificate of commendation with information about where and when your fish was tagged. We do need to process the actual tag (not just a photo!), but if you'd like the tag returned to you, you can make note on the form and staff will be happy to mail it back to you.

Who can sign a deer tag?

Question: I am currently employed by the Superior Court as a Deputy Clerk of the Court. I have the authority to administer oaths and sign fix-it tickets under California Code of Civil Procedure, section 2093(a). Can I also countersign a deer tag in California? For example, if I am out hunting with my dad or close friends, would I be able to countersign their deer tag? I'm aware that I cannot sign my own tag. (Frank O.)

Answer: The California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 708.6 states that any person legally killing a deer (or elk) in the state shall have the license tag countersigned by "a person authorized by the Commission" before transporting the animal (unless they are taking the deer or elk to the nearest person who is authorized to countersign the license tag).

This is followed by a long list of state, federal and "miscellaneous" classifications that are authorized to sign the tag. The "miscellaneous" category includes firefighters employed on a full-time basis (only if the elk or deer carcass is brought to the fire station), judges and justices of all state and federal courts, notaries public, peace officers, officers authorized to administer oaths, and "owners, corporate officers, managers or operators of lockers or cold storage plants for deer or elk" (again, if the animal is brought to their place of business). Only individuals in the categories listed in section 708.6 are authorized to sign a deer tag.

As a deputy clerk of the Superior Court, you are considered an "officer authorized to administer oaths." So yes, you may countersign a deer tag. It does not matter if you are related to the hunter, but you are correct that you cannot countersign your own tag!

Carrying a sidearm while archery hunting

Question: Is it legal to carry a sidearm for personal protection while archery hunting during deer season this year? (Gary D.)

Answer: Unless you are an active or honorably retired peace officer, you may not possess a firearm while hunting deer during the archery season or under an archery only tag during the general season.

The California Code of Regulations says that "archers may not possess a firearm while hunting in the field during any archery season, or while hunting during a general season under the provisions of an archery only tag" (CCR Title 14, section 354(h)).

Additionally, the California Fish and Game Code, section 4370, states that during archery season a deer hunter cannot legally "carry, nor have under his or her immediate control, any firearm of any kind."

California Code of Regulations Title 14 was recently amended to allow persons hunting for big game other than deer during the archery season to carry a concealable firearm, as long as that firearm is not used to take wildlife. There is also an exception for peace officers and retired peace officers.

If you have a question for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. While they cannot answer every question, they will answer a few in each column.

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Written by: Mendocino National Forest

Published: 30 August 2019

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest offices will close Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Regular business hours will resume Tuesday, Sept. 3, at all offices except for the Stonyford Work Center, which will close Tuesday, Sept. 3, and reopen Wednesday, Sept. 4.

To prepare for a trip to the Mendocino, know before you go. Fire restrictions remain in effect, (Order No. 08-19-04).

Officials remind the public that it’s critical to practice fire safety at all times while visiting the forest.

In addition, the Ranch fire closure is in effect (Order No. 08-19-03).

Forest Orders are posted here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mendocino/home/?cid=FSEPRD509485 .

High-clearance vehicles are recommended for travel across the forest. The road report is here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mendocino/home/?cid=FSEPRD628534 .

Remember that food, gas, and lodging are not available on the forest road network or within forest boundaries.

Carry emergency equipment and appropriate maps in your vehicle. Cell phone coverage is not reliable in many areas of the forest. Check the weather forecast before heading out and be aware that conditions can change suddenly in the high country.

Also, one of the great attractions of the Mendocino National Forest is the potential to observe animals in their natural setting. In the camping area, store food and equipment so that they won’t invite loss or damage by wildlife.

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Written by: Nadine Strauss

Published: 27 August 2019

ROSEBURG, Oregon – The North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, made its maiden voyage out of state Saturday night to become part of the A & M Transport West Coast Modified Shootout at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Oregon.

With $2,000 to win up for grabs, the field was full of heavy-hitters, but it was three-time NSMS champion Darrin Knight of Kelseyville who was the dominant force who led 60 of the 75 laps to claim his second season victory.

Ukiah's Kyle Tellstrom collected $1000 for finishing second, and Scott Winters of Tracy took home $850 for third.

Winters' fast time of 15.713 seconds established the NSMS Hoosier track record for the four-tenth mile paved oval.

This, along with his third place finish, was just enough to boost the Ferrari Farms Racing team into the NSMS championship points lead by one point over Cameron Austin. Winters shares driving duties with Robbie Knittel for Ferrari Farms.

The pill draw was for an eight-car invert putting Lakeport's Ian Elliott and Petaluma's Richie Potts in the front row for the main event. Local driver Andrew Koens and Randy Houston shared row two, Cameron Austin and Knight started in row three, and Tellstrom and Winters were next in line in row four.

Elliott and Potts ran side-by-side the first three laps until Elliott pulled ahead. Houston dove under Potts the following round with Knight tight on Houston's bumper leaving Potts to struggle in the slick outside groove. Tellstrom swapped places with Potts just before the yellow flag waved when Darrin Sullivan and Herman Pulyer made contact causing Pulyer to spin in turn two.

The double-file restart saw Elliott back in front with Knight driving under Houston for second. Winters swapped places with Houston on lap 11 as Knight was looking for a way around Elliott.

When Elliott drove up the track slightly on lap 15, it was all Knight needed to fill the hole to take the lead. Before Elliott could get back down both Tellstrom and Winters blew by, dropping Elliott to fourth.

For the next 15 circuits the leaders drove gracefully through lapped traffic until the race was slowed again on lap 35 when Sullivan and Rich Cobb came together resulting in enough damage to Sullivan's car to end his night. At this point the race was red-flagged for a fuel stop.

When racing resumed Winters poked his nose under Tellstrom but Tellstrom shut the door to maintain second. At the half way point the running order was Knight, Tellstrom, Winters, Houston, Austin, Keith Bloom, Elliott, Koens, Potts, Cobb, Stuart Campbell, Rick Avila, Jamie Britton and Pete Tyree.

The second half of the race saw Bloom move forward as Knight was putting a healthy distance between himself and the other top-runners.

Knight was first across the Sunoco finish line for a $2,000 pay day and a three-foot tall hand-carved eagle trophy courtesy of Mort Houston. He also was awarded the Keyser Hard Charger award.

Tellstrom finished a strong second in front of Winters, Houston, Austin, Bloom, Elliott, Potts, Cobb, Campbell, Avila, Koens, Britton and Tyree. Non-finishers were Sullivan, Pulyer and Tom Ford.

Earning $100 for winning the Lucas Oil Dash for Cash was Elliott in the newly-prepared Terry Deal #01. Austin finished second for $50. The Naake Shocks certificate was given to Tellstrom. Rick Avila, Houston and Tom Ford got the Frank's Radios cards.

The next outing for the North State Modified Series will be on Sept. 21 for the annual Fall Spectacular at Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka.

The North State Modified Series is presented by: Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, and Franks Radios.

HOOSIER TIME TRIALS:

Scott Winters 15.713 NTR; Kyle Tellstrom 15.728; Darrin Knight 15.811; Cameron Austin 15.876; Randy Houston 15.937; Andrew Koens 15.937; Richie Potts 15.966; Ian Elliott 16.082; Rich Cobb 16.139; Keith Bloom 16.200; Herman Pulyer 16.326; Tom Ford 16.350; Stuart Campbell 16.412; Rick Avila 16.753; Darrin Sullivan 16.843; Pete Tyree 16.972; Jamie Britton 16.983

LUCAS OIL DASH FOR CASH:

Ian Elliott, Cameron Austin, Randy Houston, Kyle Tellstrom, Richie Potts, Keith Bloom

NSMS/WEST COAST MODIFIED SHOOTOUT:

Darrin Knight, Kyle Tellstrom, Scott Winters, Randy Houston, Cameron Austin, Keith Bloom, Ian Elliott, Richie Potts, Rich Cobb, Stuart Campbell, Rick Avila, Andrew Koens, Jamie Britton, Pete Tyree, Darrin Sullivan, Herman Pulyer, Tom Ford